The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Friday, January 28, 2011

I never thought about advertisements for documentaries or newsreels until I saw this image from Vintage Ads. It is an ad for a 1939 episode from the March Of Time series. Before the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, and less than a generation after World War I, many Americans were not interested in another war, and the subjects for this film seem to suggest that position.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

E.L. Cord made possible some of the grandest, most innovative vehicles to ever grace the American roads, or any other roads for that matter. He took over a dying car company based in Auburn, Indiana; bought Duesenberg motors; and developed a new car, bearing his own name, with revolutionary front-wheel drive technology. As a result, the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg line of automobiles became legendary for their design, performance and luxury. Modern Mechanix posted this article from a 1930 issue of Modern Mechanics that gives some contemporary insight into his success. If you are ever in Auburn, Indiana, I highly recommend a visit to the Auburn, Cord & Duesenberg Museum, housed in the old A-C-D headquarters and showroom. It is an exciting collection, even for someone who is not that interested in cars.

A beer a day keeps the winter colds away! At least that is what the Schlitz Brewing Company would have you believe in this 1936 ad posted on Modern Mechanix. These guys had today's energy drinks beat by over half a century.

Schlitz, with Sunshine Vitamin D *, gives you the sunny source of health you need the whole year around. Beer is good for you— but Schlitz, with Sunshine Vitamin D, is extra good for you. It has all the old-time Schlitz Flavor and Bouquet brewed to mellow ripe perfection under Precise Enzyme Control, with new health benefits . . . and at no increase in price.

U of M Swing every Monday, Fieldhouse Room 118 from 7:00 to 9:45 p.m. Free taster lesson from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Topics vary from week to week and include East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues and Balboa. All are welcome and no partner is required. Open practice from 8-9:30 pm. Improve your moves during this dance time. Ask questions, come practice your swing dancing and have fun with other Memphis swing dancers!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

An early prototype of Bugs Bunny appears in this classic Warner Bros. cartoon about two stray dogs that wander into a magician's house and encounter his tricks. From the Internet Archive: Prest-O Chang-O.

Friday, January 21, 2011

I will readily admit, nay - proclaim, that I designed a submarine when I was a boy, but the project never got through the budget process. Modern Mechanix posted this 1932 issue of Science and Mechanics, which features this story of a submersible used by boys in Nebraska, complete with rudder, submerging planes, periscope and air vent.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The Red Hot Lindy Hop is doing double duty tomorrow. In addition to the regular lesson and session at the Rumba Room downtown, they will also be appearing at the opening reception for the Germantown Performing Arts Center exhibition of Facing the Music: Portraits of the Jazz Age. The reception runs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and the exhibition runs through February 12.

International recording artist and award-winning composer Kathy Kosins presents an afternoon of song celebrating the music of the legendary Betty Boop. Big band Jazz Orchestra of the Delta under the direction of Jack Cooper joins Kosins in new arrangements from the life and times of this American icon.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The weekly Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues its usual groove this Friday with a lesson by Becky and Bill and music by Becky. Free admission before 7:00 p.m., and $5 at the door afterwards.

U of M Swing every Monday, Fieldhouse Room 118 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Free taster lesson from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Topics vary from week to week and include East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues and Balboa. All are welcome and no partner is required. Open practice from 8-9:30 pm. Improve your moves during this dance time. Ask questions, come practice your swing dancing and have fun with other Memphis swing dancers!

Monday, January 17, 2011

January 17 marks the anniversary of at least two significant introductions in American history. According to The People History, on that date jazz was introduced to Carnegie Hall, and America met the Beetle.

1938 U.S.A. Carnegie Hall

17th January, 1938 : The first jazz concert is performed at Carnegie Hall. Benny Goodman and his orchestra performed at this iconic New York City venue and the event included guests like Count Basie and other popular names of the day. It gave the genre credibility as a legitimate musical preference.

1949 U.S.A. Volkswagen Beetle

17th January, 1949 : The first Volkswagen Beetle ( The Peoples Car ) in the U.S. arrived from Germany, designed by Ferdinand Porsche at the request of Adolf Hitler.

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Hemmings blog came across another homemade streamliner. This vehicle was produced by San Diego boat builder D.H. Griffin sometime in the 1930's. The car below was actually his second conveyance. According to Hemmings, the three-wheeler

used an oak frame, but had a sedan body that seated four. Passengers could enter through one of two side doors or through a single front door. According to Cunningham, the sedan weighed 975 pounds, reached a top speed of 60 MPH, and returned 50 MPG.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

During my show last night, I learned that Margaret Whiting, a singer who made her name in the 1940s-50s, passed away Monday, January 10, 2011 at the age of 86. Prior to producing records under her own name, she sang with Freddie Slack, Billy Butterfield and Paul Weston. NPR posted this memorial to her from Fresh Air.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Shake the snow off your boots with the weekly Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session this Friday with a lesson by Kirk and Kimmie and music by Kimmie. Free admission before 7:00 p.m., and $5 at the door afterwards.

U of M Swing every Monday, Fieldhouse Room 118 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Free taster lesson from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Topics vary from week to week and include East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues and Balboa. All are welcome and no partner is required. Open practice from 8-9:30 pm. Improve your moves during this dance time. Ask questions, come practice your swing dancing and have fun with other Memphis swing dancers!

Monday, January 10, 2011

The blog Dieselpunk is a great source for images of design from the Art Deco/Streamline era, but this poster for a 1935 Auto Show in Prague, Czechoslovakia is over the top. I have no doubt that the Czech auto manufacturer Tatra, known for its aerodynamically designed vehicles, had a big presence at that show.

Considering the blanket of snow Memphis and the Mid-South received last night, the lyrics of this morning's Sunrise Serenade might serve as appropriate driving instructions. Just direct your feet "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" by the Benny Goodman Sextet with Peggy Lee on vocals. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Film Noir Photos began a series featuring photos and posters from movies with multiple sequels, and it began with The Thin Man series starring William Powell as Nick Charles, Myrna Loy as his wife Nora, and Asta, their wired-haired terrier.

This publicity shot is from the last of the series, Song of the Thin Man (1947), with Powell, Loy and Dean Stockwell (Dune, Quantum Leap, Battlestar Galactica) as Nicky, Jr. Like Film Noir, I agree that this film was the weakest in the series, but I too have a soft spot for this movie. One of the funniest moments in film is when the beautiful Myrna Loy says "I'm a mudhen."

It appears that January 5 is another one of those dates that history likes to revisit. The People History posted the following series of historical events that occurred on this date.

5th January, 1933: Work is started on The Golden Gate Bridge across the San Francisco Bay

5th January, 1940: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) listened to a demo of FM radio on this day. In 1941, FM transmitting took place for the first time.

5th January, 1943: Elizabeth Taylor started her first acting role while signed on with MGM when she was 11 years old. On this day (January 5th), her first appearance was in Lassie Come Home. However, her first ever film debut was with Universal Studios when she was only 10 years old (There’s One Born Every Minute).

5th January, 1949: President Harry S. Truman gave his “fair deal speech”. He expressed his thoughts on how every American should expect a “fair deal” from the U.S. government. His talk was in response to the New Deal policies that were set in place by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The weekly Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session returns from its holiday break this Friday with a lesson by Jaredan and Michelle and music by Jaredan. Free admission before 7:00 p.m., and $5 at the door afterwards.

U of M Swing every Monday, Fieldhouse Room 118 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Free taster lesson from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Topics vary from week to week and include East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues and Balboa. All are welcome and no partner is required. Open practice from 8-9:30 pm. Improve your moves during this dance time. Ask questions, come practice your swing dancing and have fun with other Memphis swing dancers!